Stage one Webbs Dam upgrade officially unveiled

Mayor of Hurstville, Cr Jack Jacovou officially unveiled stage one of the Webbs Dam upgrade last Saturday (16 March 2013).

Mayor Jacovou said stage one, which forms part of the Webbs Dam Landscape Concept Plan, included the installation of a new raingarden and extensive landscaping.

“The aim of this project was to build a raingarden above the existing dam to capture and treat stormwater flows,” he said.

“This will help improve biodiversity outcomes within the downstream creek and the receiving waters of Salt Pan Creek, which flows into the Georges River.

“Essentially, the raingarden works by filtering the stormwater from the surrounding 13 hectares before water enters the dam.

“The environmental benefits include improved water quality that benefits downstream habitats, and the enhancement of surrounding bushland that will help to improve bioversity.”

Mayor Jacovou said before commencing upgrade works, Council conducted extensive community consultation to outline design elements of the project.

“As a result of community feedback, Council softened the edges of the dam as well as undertook extensive rejuvenation to further improve biodiversity and ensure the dam’s bank stability,” he said.

“By including thousands of native plants on the edges of the dam it is helping also to minimise sediment and rubbish from entering the dam via overland stormwater flows.

“The completed works have already vastly enhanced the natural environment, making it more appealing not only aesthetically but more sustainable for the long-term future.”

Mayor Jacovou said in the future, stage two of the Webbs Dam upgrade will investigate the feasibility of reusing dam water to potentially irrigate the adjoining Evatt Park sports field to help reduce water usage.

Hurstville City Council provided more than $145,000 for the Webbs Dam upgrade, with the Lower Georges River Urban Sustainability Initiative contributing $300,000, via the NSW Environmental Trust. The Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Authority also provided $40,000, whilst the Office of Environment and Heritage Waste and Sustainability Improvement Program provided $245,700.